Article holder



C. LENFANT ARTICLE HOLDER sept. 2o, 1932.

4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 13, 1929 IINVENTOR ZKM/ff 'fykmf' C im ATTORN Y C. LENFANT ARTICLE HOLDER Sept. 20, 1932.

Filed Nov. 15, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 AUTO LICENSE 0R IDENTIFICATION GARD NAME |||II||||J| llllll ADDRES;.

C. LENFANT ARTICLE HOLDER Sept. 20, 1932.

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. l5. 1929 fg fa C. LENFANT ART I CLE HOLDER Sept. 20, 1932.

Filed Nov. 13 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 RIrv www@ Nf R E. .o W f @JCM .HB A l .FA W

KJKIL f Patented Sept. 20, 1932 cnannns umm, or marcan, n. Y. v

' nnen'. Homann Application med November 18, `19129. Serial lo. 406,764.

This invention relates to article holders,

and has for its primary object and purpose to provide a simply constructed and servlc-eable device formed of eXible materials and accessible, and also having means for re'- p ceiving and retaining cards, automobile '10 licenses, currency, memoranda and other doc uments. f

It is also another important object of the invention to provide a case of leather or other flexible materials as above characterized which may consist of a plurality of relatively foldable sections, and notwithstanding the keys and other v articles contamed therein, when folded will present a. comparatively flat non-bulky appearance and may be conveniently carried in the pocket or purse. f

It is a further general object of the invention to provide a device of the above character which requires, few and simple meproper assemblage of its several parts whereby it may be produced on a quantity production basis at comparatively small vmanufacturing cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved article holder or case and in the form, construction and relative arrangement of its several parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings, wherein I have disclosed several simple and practical embodiments of the essential features of the present invention, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several viewsfv Figure 1 is an interior side eleva-tion, showing the case open;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the stamped or cut blank of flexible material from which the body of the case is formed;

chanical operations in the production and i Fig. 4 is asimilar view of one of the key pocket forming sections of the case;

F1 5 1s a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a mo ified form of the device;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the 55 l1ne 6-6 of Fig.v5;

Figs. 7 and 8 are plan views of the blank arts of the case shown in Fig. 5 corresponding to Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 9 is an interior elevation of the open 60 case showing a further alternative construction, one of the parts being broken away;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are plan view ofthe 65 blank parts from which the case shown in Fig. 9 is formed;

Fig. 14 is Va side elevation illustrating a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on the 70 line 15--15 of Fig. 142 and Fig. 16 is a plan v1ew of the single blank from which the case shown in Fig. 14 is formed.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, 5 designates the outer body wall of the case or holder which consistsv of a sheet of leather or other suitable flexible material stamped or cut into the form shown in Fig. 3 of the 80 drawings, and having an intermediate por- -tion foldable along the central horizontal line indicated at 6 to provide twoouter side wall sections, said intermediate portion of the blank at its opposite longitudinal edges having the laterally extending narrowV projections or an es l7 adapted to be folded inwardly along t e lines indicated at 8.' The opposlte end portions 9 of the blank projecting beyond the ends of the side flanges 7 are 90 also adapted to be folded inwardly upon the intermediate portion of the blank along the lines indicated at 10. Y

Upon the inner sides of the two wall sections of the blank 5 at opposite'sides of the 95 fold line 6, key pocket forming parts areA adapted to be assembled. Each of these parts, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings also consists of a substantially rectan lar blank of flexible material having the uody 10 liti part 11 and an end portion 12 foldable upon one side of the body part 1'1 along the llne indicated at 13. At this fold line 13, and 1n horizontal spaced relation to eachother, the narrow elongated slots or perforatlons 14 are formed through the material. The free end edge of the portion 12 of the blank, in line with eachof the slots la is provlded W1th a tab or extension 15.

Preferably, though not necessarlly, the 1nner side or surface of the intermediate part of the blank 5 between the fold lines 10 is covered by a sheet ofv silk or other reinforcing fabric indicated at 16, adhesively secured to the blank 5. The opposite end edges of these reinforcing sheets are cut along the curved concave line shown at 17 so as to permit the end parts 9 of the blank to be easily folded and reduce thickness or bulk along the fold lines 10.

lin assembling the parts above described, the end portions 9 of the blank are first folded inwardly upon the inner side 0f the intermediate portion of said blank. The pocket forming blanks are then folded along the lines 13, and the end edges of the portions 11 thereof are disposed under the 1nner edges of the parts 9 of the blank 5 and between said parts and the body wall sections of said blank while the portions 12 of the pocket forming parts are positioned over the inner sides of the parts 11 thereof. These pocket forming parts are so arranged that the inner ends thereof having the slots 14 are suitably spaced apart at opposite sides ofthe central fold line of the blank 5. The slde edge flanges 7 of the blank 5 are now turned inwardly and downwardly upon the lateral edges of the parts 9 of the blank 5 and upon the parts 12 of the pocket formlng members and stitched thereto along the mes 1nd1- cated at 18 in Fig. 1 of the drawings, so that the several parts are securely fixed against relative movement -in assembled relation to each other. Before the pocket forming sections are assembled as above described on the body wall of the blank 5, and after folding said pocket forming sections along the lines 13, the folded portions thereof are secured to each other by the lines of stitching indicated at 19 which extend between the spaced slots 14 and the tabs 15. Tn this manf ner, it will be evident, as seen in F ig. 1 of the drawings that each of said sections thus provides a series of individual and separate pockets upon the inner side of each half of the body 5 on opposite sides of the intermediate fold line 6 thereof. Additional pockets are also aorded between the portions 11 of the key pocket forming sections and the reinforced inner surface of the body section 5 of vthe case, said latter pockets extending the entire width of the case and adapted "to receive cards, paper currency, memoranda or the like.

namen lin the use ofthe device which is particularly designed as a holder or retainer for Yale keys, the individual keys are inserted into the respective pockets while the tabs or extensions 15 are disposed in overlapping external relation upon the end edge portions of the parts 9 of the body section 5. Thus, the end of the key shank may be readily inserted beneath these tab extensions and moved downwardly between the parts 11 and 12 forming the opposite sidesof the key pocket. the key shank protrudes through one of the slots la and until the enlarged head of the key is entirely disposed within the pocket and below tab 15. This tab is then iiexed and folded under the end edge of the part 9 of the body section of the case. The key is then moved upwardly or outwardly in the key pocket to the position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings where the enlarged head of the key will extend beyond the tab15 and the shank portion of the key will be wholly enclosed within said pocket. By cutting away the opposite ends of the reinforcing fabric 17 as above explained, it will be evident that when any individual key is desired, the end edge portion of the case body at the fold 10 and in line with the key pocket may be readily flexed by means of the finger to apply pressure against the key head, and thus project the end of the key shank through the slot 14:. The shank of the key can then be readily grasped and withdrawn through said slot to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The case body is then folded along the line 6 to dispose the outer surfaces of the opposite. side portions thereof in face to face contact, and thus permit the shank of the key to be readily inserted in the slot of the door lock.

lit will be readily understood that a device of the character above described enables the individual keys to be held or retained in segregated relation and yet permits ready access to any individual key. The several key pockets may be provided upon their inner walls with suitable identifying numbers or other characters so that a desired key can be easily selected. When the case is folded, it is of relatively small compass, the two series of pockets containing the keys lying in closely superimposed relation. Thus the folded case will be of very small bulk, and may be conveniently carried in the vest pocket or the purse. l

In Figs. 5 to 8 of the drawings, T have shown another convenient and serviceable form of my invention, in which the body blank 5 is of somewhat greater length, and provided with three intermediate sections of substantially equal dimensions foldable relative to each other along the line 6. This blank otherwise is of practically the same form as above described. Upon one of the Such movement` is continued until lill@ .end sections of the blank 5 one of the key pocket,l forming parts indicated at 20 constructed in -the manner above explained is assembled. .In this construction, the inner surfaces of the body 5 is not provided with the reinforcing lining sheet 16 extending the full length thereof, and upon the other two sections of said blank, an identification card or 'automobile license holder is assembled. This card or license holder consists of the sheet of fabric 2l which is suitably secured by an adhesive to the 4inner -surface of the -sections .of the blank 5 and to one end edge of this sheet of fabric, one end ofI the thintransparent Celluloid sheet 22 is attached as at 23, the other end edge of the Celluloid sheet being free or unsecured to the fabric sheet 21 and provided with a selvedge or fabric reinforcing binding 24 along said -free edge thereof. The opposite-lateral or side edges of the celluloid sheet 22 are confined and secured with respect to the body 5 of the ease by the inwardly folded and stitched edge flanges of said body wall. Intermediate of its ends and along one of the fold lines 6 of the casebody, the Celluloid sheet 22 is cut away or slotted as shown at 25, said slot extending between the secured lateral edge portions of the Celluloid sheet. Thus the two parts of the Celluloid sheet at opposite sides of this slot may be readily folded with the body wall of the case into face to face contact with each other. Through this slot, the card, license or other paper may be inserted into the innermost pocket formed between the Celluloid and the fabric lining sheet 12. Another license or card may also be inserted into the pocket formed between the outer section of the celluloid and the body of the case, between the unsecured edge 24 of said celluloid sheet and the fabric sheet 21.

In this latter form of the device, one of the end portions or extensions 9 of the body wall of the ease is not secured at its opposite lateral' edges by the stitched flanges 7 but remains free and is merely adapted to be folded inwardly to close the open outer side of the license or card receiving pocket. In this manner, it will be-seen that in the'one device, convenient means is provided for carrying a number of keys used for instance, in connection with the ignition, transmission and tire locks of an automobile, and also the drivers and owners licenses. The latter may be easily inspected and read through the transparent walls of the Celluloid sheet 22 without removal from the pockets of the case.

InlFigs. 9 to 13 of the drawings, Iv show another construction, in which one half of the case body may be provided with the individual key receiving pockets as above eX- plained, while the other half of the case body is provided with a purse.

The purse is vformed from the blank shown in Fig. 11 consistingof a flexible sheet' of ed edges as shown at 32 and foldable upon each other along the line 31. After foldingv the part 28 along the line 29, by flexing the tab portions 32 they may be passed through the relatively narrow slot 30. This tab is then folded along line 31 and the narrow extremity 32' of said tab then inserted inwardly through slot 30. Thus, there is provided a convenient finger piece upon the outer side of the folded extension 28 as shown in Fig.- 9 of the drawings. The opposite lateral edges of the folded parts of the body portion 26 of the blank are secured to each other and to the wall of the body section of the case by the in-turned stitched edge flanges of said body wall while the folded extension 28 remains free. The free longitudinal edgeof -this extension is adapted to be inserted downwardly into the open end of the pocket of the purse, thus providing a secure closure therefor. The inner closed end of the purse is spaced from the inner ends of the key pockets on the other half of the case body so that the body wall of the case may be centrally folded to dispose the two case sections in superimposed relation. By providing a closure means for the purse pocket and the finger tab or extension 31 as an integral part of the blank from which the purse is formed, it will be seen that manufacturing costs are reduced to a minimum, and also that by the elimination of the metallic fastening means,

when folded, the bulk ofthe case will not be increased, nor will the outer body wall thereof be marred in appearance by distortion due to the presence of a resistant metallic fastenmg means.

In Figs. 14, 15 and 16, I illustrate a greatly simplified form of' the essential feature of the invention. In this construction, the device is designed only for the purpose of holding or retaining keys and consists of a single blank of flexible material having an intermediate section 33 which forms one completely closed side wall of the case. The end portion 34 of the blank is adapted to be folded upon the inner side of the intermediate section 33 alon end section 36 o the blank is similarly folded inwardly along the line A37. This latter end section of the blank is provided with the spaced slots 38 and the tab extensions 39 in line with said slots. After the end portions 34 and 36 are foldedinwardly on one side of the line .35 and the other the intermediate section 33 of the blank, said parts are permanently secured tosaid intermediate section by the spaced lines of stitching 40, thus forming the several individual key receiving pockets. fn this case, it will be noted thatthe slots 38 are disposed above the fold 37 or one longitudinal edge of the completed case. Thus when the key shank is fully projected throughpsaid slot from one of the portions, its inner portion will overlie the part 36 of the case. However, since this end portion of the pocket may be readily flexed, it will offer no serious impediment to the proper insertion of the key shank into the slot of the lock. This latter construction is exceedingly simple and since its manufacturing cost and sale price will be insignificant, it may be advantageously used by banking institutions and distributed gratis as an inducement to the renting of safe deposit vaults.,-

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, manner of use ahd several advantages of the various described embodiments of the invention will be clearly and fully understood. While l have herein shown and described several simple and practical constructions, it is nevertheless also apparent that the essential features of the present disclosure might also be embodied in various other alternative structural forms, and l accordingly, reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes therein as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

l claim:

1. A case having a flexible body wall folded at one of its ends inwardly and downwardly upon one side of said wall, a reinforcing fabric sheet secured to said side of the body wall, an additional sheet of exible material associated with said end portion of the body wall of the case and having an end por- -tion folded and disposed in substantially the same plane as the folded end portion of the body wall with the opposed edges of said folded portions of the body wall and said flexible sheet in meeting relation, spaced parallel lines of stitching securing the folded portions and said flexible sheet of materials to the body wall to form a series of key receiving pockets, the lateral edges of the body wall being turned inwardly upon the corresponding edges of the folded end of said body wall and said iiexible sheet and secured thereto, the inner end of each of said pockets being provided with an opening through which the shank of the key contained in the pocket may be withdrawn, said key being insertable within the pocket and removable therefrom .between the meeting edges of said folded end of the body wall and the flexible sheet secured thereto, and said reinforcing fabric on the -body wall at the other ends of the pockets being cut away to permit free flexing of said 05 body Wall at the folded end thereofiwhereby Levaeii the individual keys may be projected through the pocket openings.

2. A case having a fiexible body wall provided with opposite end portions folded inwardly upon one side of said wall, a fabric reinforcing sheet secured to said side of the body wall between the folded end portions thereof and having concave op osite end edges, a separate 'sheet of folded exible Inaterial associated with each of said folded end por-tlons of the body wall, said folded parts of the flexible sheets and said end portions of the body wall being secured to each other by spaced parallel lines of stitchin to form a series of key-receiving pockets, t e end edge of the body wall and one of the end edges of said separate flexible sheet being disposed in meeting relation and affording openings through which a key may be inserted into or withdrawn from the pockets, each of the pockets at its inner end havin a relatively narrow slot therein through which the shank of the key may be projected, and said concave ends of the reinforcing fabric sheet permitting of a free flexing of the body wall at the fold therein whereby ressure may be applied to any one of the keys to project the shank thereof through said slot.

3. A case comprising a flexible body wall and means secured -to said body wall upon one side thereof forming a series of key receiving pockets, the other end portion of said body wall being inwardly folded upon said side of the body wall and secured thereto along its lateral edges, and a purse formed of a sheet of flexible material having a folded body portion providing a pocket underlying said inwardly folded end portion of the body wall and secured to the latter along its side edges, and said sheet of material having a folded extension integral with one of the walls of the purse to close the open side of the purse pocket and adapted to extend between the same and the inwardly folded end of the body wall, and said extension including folded parts, one of said parts having a tongue and the other provided with a slot through which said tongue is disposed, and said tongue folded upon itself and having its extremity inserted through said slot to form a finger piece for the manipulation of the closure Hap for the purse.

ln testimony that l claim the foregoing as my invention, l have signed my name hereto.

CHARLES LENFANT. 

